Low-impact laparoscopy in colorectal resection-A multicentric randomised trial comparing low-pressure pneumoperitoneum plus microsurgery versus low-pressure pneumoperitoneum alone: The PAROS II trial.

INTRODUCTION: Low-pressure pneumoperitoneum (LLP) in laparoscopy colorectal surgery (CS) has resulted in reduced hospital stay and lower analgesic consumption. Microsurgery (MS) in CS is a technique that has a significant impact with respect to postoperative pain. The combination of MS plus LLP, known as low-impact laparoscopy (LIL), has never been applied in CS. Therefore, this trial will assess the efficacy of LLP plus MS versus LLP alone in terms of decreasing postoperative pain 24 h after surgery, without taking opioids. METHOD: PAROS II will be a prospective, multicentre, outcome assessor-blinded, randomised controlled phase III clinical trial that compares LLP plus MS versus LLP alone in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for colonic or upper rectal cancer or benign pathology. The primary outcome will be the number of patients with postoperative pain 24 h after the surgery, as defined by a visual analogue scale rating ≤3 and without taking opioids. Overall, PAROS II aims to recruit 148 patients for 50% of patients to reach the primary outcome in the LLP plus MS arm, with 80% power and an 5% alpha risk. CONCLUSION: The PAROS II trial will be the first phase III trial to investigate the impact of LIL, including LLP plus MS, in laparoscopic CS. The results may improve the postoperative recovery experience and decrease opioid consumption after laparoscopic CS.

Cambios en el índice de stress y presión inspiratoria pico posterior a neumoperitoneo en colecistectomía laparoscópica / Changes in Stress Index and Peak Inspiratory Pressure after Pneumoperitoneum in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Introducción: es bien sabido que el neumoperitoneo en cirugía laparoscópica afecta tanto al sistema cardiovascular como al sistema respiratorio, pero no se entiende por completo el grado en el que debemos modificar los parámetros ventilatorios para mini-mizar las complicaciones debido a la insuflación del neumoperitoneo. Estos cambios in-cluyen disminución de la distensibilidad y mayores presiones inspiratorias pico.

Abstract Background: it is well known that pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic surgery affects both cardiovascular and respiratory system, but it is not fully understood yet the degree in which we have to make changes in the ventilatory settings to minimize the complica-tions due to insufflation of peritoneum, changes including impaired compliance and hig-her peak inspiratory.

Comparison of effects of transversus abdominis plane block and thoracic epidural anesthesia mediated activation of inflammasome on postoperative medication, pain, and recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

OBJECTIVE: This work was developed to compare the effects of transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) and thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) mediated activation of inflammasome on postoperative medication, pain, and recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Then, the effects of two anesthesia methods on postoperative analgesia of patients were investigated and compared, aiming to provide reference for the selection of postoperative analgesia methods of laparoscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this work, patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery were rolled into a TAPB group (30 patients) and a TEA group (30 patients). The blood pressure and stress indexes of the patients at different time points were observed and compared, and the doses of anesthetic drugs were recorded. Postoperative pain scores were evaluated, and postoperative recovery of the two groups was compared. Meanwhile, the peripheral venous bloods were extracted from the two groups before and after surgery for the determination of inflammasome proteins, and the detection results were compared. RESULTS: Data showed that the dose of sufentanil in TEA group was notably inferior to that in TAPB group (p<0.05). The blood pressure indexes in the TEA group decreased remarkably (p<0.05), while their changes in the TAPB group were stable. The slower point heart rate (HR), lower mean arterial pressure (MAP), and lower levels of cortisol (Cor) and norepinephrine (NE) in the TEA group were found when compared with the TAPB group during the period from pneumoperitoneum establishment to post-ventilation. After pneumoperitoneum establishment, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) in the TEA group was lower than that in the TAPB group at the same time point (p<0.05). The postoperative visual analog scales (VAS) score and numerical rating scale (NRS) score in TEA group were lower than those in TAPB group (p<0.05). After surgery, the protein level in TEA group was significantly lower than that in TAPB group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In short, the activation of inflammasome mediated by TEA could reduce the anesthetic agents used after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery and reduce the surgical stress response. In addition, TEA exerted a little effect on early immunity, which was safe and feasible, contributing to postoperative analgesia and recovery. In addition, its application value in laparoscopic postoperative analgesia was higher than TAPB.

Identifying Radiographic and Clinical Indicators to Reduce the Occurrence of Nontherapeutic Laparotomy for Blunt Bowel and Mesenteric Injury.

BACKGROUND: Roughly 5% of patients with blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) have a blunt bowel and/or mesenteric injury (BBMI). Determining the need for operative management in these patients can be challenging when hemodynamically stable. Single center studies have proposed scoring systems based on CT findings to guide management. Our study aimed to determine the predictability of abdominopelvic CT scan (CT A/P) findings in conjunction with clinical exam to determine the necessity of operative intervention for BBMI. METHODS: Patients presenting from 2017 to 2022 to the University of South Alabama Level 1 Trauma Center after motor vehicle collision were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with CT findings suggestive of BBMI were further analyzed, noting CT findings, Glasgow coma scale (GCS), shock index, abdominal exam, operative or nonoperative management, and intraoperative intervention. RESULTS: 1098 patients with BAT underwent CT A/P. 139 patients had ≥1 finding suggestive of BBMI. 38 patients underwent surgical exploration and 30 had surgically confirmed BBMI. 27 patients required intervention for BBMI. Univariate analysis indicated that pneumoperitoneum (p < 0.0001), active extravasation of contrast (p = 0.0001), hemoperitoneum without solid organ injury (SOI) (p < 0.0001), peritonitis (p < 0.0001), and mesenteric stranding(p < 0.05) were significantly associated with intervention. CONCLUSION: In total, 30 patients had surgically confirmed BBMI. Active extravasation, pneumoperitoneum, hemoperitoneum without SOI, mesenteric stranding, and peritonitis were significant indicators of BBMI requiring intervention. CT and clinical findings cannot reliably predict the need for surgical intervention without ≥1 of these findings. Initial nonoperative management with serial clinical exams should be strongly considered to reduce incidence of nontherapeutic laparotomies.

Pneumoperitoneum and Acute Kidney Injury-An Integrative Clinical Concept Review.

An increased intraabdominal pressure, particularly when occurring during periods of hemodynamic instability or fluid overload, is regarded as a major contributor to acute kidney injury (AKI) in intensive care units. During abdominal laparoscopic procedures, intraoperative insufflation pressures up to 15 mmHg are applied, to enable visualization and surgical manipulation but with the potential to compromise net renal perfusion. Despite the widely acknowledged renal arterial autoregulation, net arterial perfusion pressure is known to be narrow, and the effective renal medullary perfusion is disproportionately impacted by venous and lymphatic congestion. At present, the potential risk factors, mitigators and risk-stratification of AKI during surgical pneumoperitoneum formation received relatively limited attention among nephrologists and represent an opportunity to look beyond mere blood pressure and intake-output balances. Careful charting and reporting duration and extent of surgical pneumoperitoneum represents an opportunity for anesthesia teams to better communicate intraoperative factors affecting renal outcomes for the postoperative clinical teams. In this current article, the authors are integrating preclinical data and clinical experience to provide a better understanding to optimize renal perfusion during surgeries. Future studies should carefully consider intrabdominal insufflation pressure as a key variable when assessing outcomes and blood pressure goals in these settings.

Useful Preoperative Simulation of Laparoscopic Surgery for Rectal Cancer in Patients with Kyphosis.

Kyphosis complicates abdominal surgery. Here, we report a case of rectal cancer in a patient with kyphosis who underwent successful laparoscopic surgery after a preoperative simulation. An 81-year-old woman with rectal cancer was admitted to our department, and laparoscopic surgery was planned. Physical examination revealed severe kyphosis. To ensure successful laparoscopic surgery, we conducted a detailed preoperative simulation, including three-dimensional CT simulations of port arrangement and anatomy, simulation of body position, selection of surgical instruments, and preoperative discussion with the anesthesiologist. We planned to insert the first port in the umbilical region for pneumoperitoneum and the camera port in the ventral region under pneumoperitoneum. We planned to insert the ports on the right side of the patient's body from the caudal regions, after considering the location of the inferior mesenteric artery and the limitations in degrees and space attributable to the costal arch and promontorium. Beach chair position was planned. We used a fan-shaped retractor and sponge retractor to remove the small intestine from the surgical view. In preoperative discussions with the anesthesiologist, we decided to maintain pneumoperitoneum pressure at less than 8 mm Hg during the operation, to safeguard respiratory function. Lower anterior resection with D2 lymph node dissection was performed, without intraoperative complications. At 2 years postoperatively, the patient was healthy with no signs of recurrence. Laparoscopic surgery appears to be a suitable choice for patients with kyphosis. We believe that preoperative simulation will result in successful outcomes.

Urinary excretion of low-osmolar contrast media during small-bowel follow-through studies in infants is not definitive evidence of bowel perforation.

BACKGROUND: Presence of contrast agent in the urinary system in infants after small-bowel follow-through study with low-osmolar contrast media has been described as a sign of bowel perforation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how often the presence of contrast agent in the bladder after small-bowel follow-through is a reliable sign of bowel perforation or necrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From the radiology information system, we retrieved imaging reports of infants evaluated with small-bowel follow-through and findings of contrast agent in the bladder. We retrieved demographic and clinical information from the medical records. Presence of bladder contrast medium was considered true-positive evidence of bowel perforation or necrosis if confirmed by pneumoperitoneum, extraluminal contrast agent, surgery or pathology within 3 days of the small-bowel follow-through. False-positives for bowel perforation or necrosis were based on surgical findings or clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 207 infants who had small-bowel follow-through, 18 infants (12 boys; mean age 50 days, range 14 days to 8.5 months) had contrast medium in the bladder after the small-bowel follow-through. Fifteen of the 18 (83.3%) had a history of prematurity and 11 had prior abdominal surgery. Four of the 18 (22.2%) had bowel perforation or necrosis at surgery or pathology performed more than 3 days after the small-bowel follow-through and were considered indeterminate and excluded. Eight of the remaining 14 infants (57.1%) had bowel perforation or necrosis based on surgical evidence of perforation or pathology confirmation of necrosis (n=6), pneumoperitoneum (n=1) or contrast agent leakage from enterocutaneous fistula (n=1). Six of the 14 (42.9%) were false-positives, without evidence of bowel perforation or necrosis based on clinical follow-up (n=4) or surgery (n=2). CONCLUSION: Demonstration of urinary contrast agent post small-bowel follow-through with low-osmolar contrast medium in newborns/infants with complex medical problems is not a definitive indication of bowel perforation or necrosis. More than one-third of our patients with contrast medium in the bladder did not have bowel perforation or necrosis.

The impact of low-pressure pneumoperitoneum on robotic-assisted radical cystectomy and intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion: a case-control study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of low intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) in improving postoperative recovery in Robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) and intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion (ICUD). METHODS: A retrospective case-control study of 49 bladder cancer patients offered RARC/ICUD with standard (12 mmHg, n = 24) or low IAP (8 mmHg, n = 25). Outcomes of interest included length of procedure (LoP), estimated blood loss (EBL), blood transfusion, margin positivity rates, time to first flatus (TtFF), time to first bowel movement (TtFBM), ileus and small bowel obstruction (SBO) rates, time to safe discharge (TtSD), postoperative hospital stay (PHS) and pain levels on a postoperative day (POD) 1 and 3. Perioperative complications were recorded using the Clavien-Dindo system. RESULTS: Demographic and baseline clinical characteristics, LoP, EBL and margin positivity rates were similar between groups. No transfusions were recorded. Median (IQR) TtFF, TtFBM and TtSD were significantly longer in Group 1 vs Group 2 (4 (1) vs 2 (1), 7 (3) vs 6 (2) and 8.5 (5.75) vs 5.0 (1), respectively). PHS and rates of postoperative ileus and SBO were lower in Group 2, however not statistically significant. Severe pain was uncommon in both groups but moderate/severe pain was significantly higher in Group 1 (95.8% vs 48% on POD1 and 62.5% vs 16% on POD3). No significant intraoperative complications were recorded and ≥ Grade 3 postoperative complications at 30 and 90 days were similar. CONCLUSION: With limitations, Low-IAP RARC can be safely offered to RARC/ICUD patients and leads to faster bowel recovery, and shorter time to safe discharge compared to standard pneumoperitoneum.

Bedside decompression of abdominal compartment syndrome caused by spontaneous pneumoperitoneum: A case report.

Pneumoperitoneum is the presence of free air within the peritoneal cavity and indicates perforation of a hollow viscus. However, it may also occur in the absence of perforation and in this case, it is called spontaneous pneumoperitoneum (SP). A 57-year-old female patient who was intubated and mechanically ventilated due to respiratory failure developed abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) secondary to massive SP. Peritoneal lavage was performed for the patient both to achieve decompression and to support the diagnosis. Many surgeons proceed with laparotomy as a reflex response for SP due to lack of awareness of the condition. However, laparotomy has no place in this setting. SP coexisting with ACS is extremely rare. With this case report, we aimed to raise awareness of SP among physicians and help avoid unnecessary laparotomies.

[Pneumoperitoneum is not always caused by bowel perforation: a case report of vaginal cuff dehiscence].

Postcoital vaginal cuff dehiscence is a rare but well documented complication of hysterectomy. Common symptoms are vaginal bleeding and abdominopelvic pain with or without evisceration of the intraperitoneal contents through the separated vaginal cuff, which can lead to bowel injury, necrosis and sepsis. This potentially life-threatening condition usually occurs during the first postoperative act of intercourse or within the first few months of surgery. This case report presents the unusual case of vaginal cuff dehiscence in a 59-year-old woman 14 years after a total abdominal hysterectomy.

Accidental peritoneum-cutaneous fistula after insufflation of preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum in a large incisional hernia with loss of domain.

Preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum has represented an important advancement in achieving the reintroduction of large herniated volumes into the abdominal cavity. However, this technique is not free of complications. We present a case of a man in his 70s with an accidental peritoneal-cutaneous fistula, secondary to the excessive pressure of the pneumoperitoneum, during the preparation of a large incisional hernia with loss of domain intervention.

Idiopathic pneumoperitoneum diagnosed following high-energy motor vehicular trauma:a case report.

Intra-abdominal free gas is a finding of extra-intestinal gas in the abdominal cavity on radiography or CT, mainly suggesting gastrointestinal perforation and necessitating emergency surgery. Idiopathic pneumoperitoneum is diagnosed when there is no obvious gastrointestinal perforation, but there is presence of free gas in the abdominal cavity with an unidentifiable cause. Herein, we report a case of idiopathic pneumoperitoneum secondary to high-energy trauma following a car rollover accident. A 95-year-old man was transferred to our clinic after a car-to-car rollover accident. He had abrasions on his right upper arm and left abdomen that appeared to be the result of the accident;however, no other apparent traumatic injuries were noted. There was no pain in the abdomen, and peritoneal irritation symptoms were also not noted. A CT scan showed fine free air. Although idiopathic pneumoperitoneum could not be ruled out, considering the patient's background and the possibility of traumatic small bowel perforation, emergency surgery was performed. A thorough search of the abdominal cavity was performed;however, the surgery was completed without an obvious perforation site. Idiopathic pneumoperitoneum should be considered as a differential disease in cases who have free air on abdominal CT but clinically lack obvious inflammatory reaction findings. J. Med. Invest. 69 : 155-157, February, 2022.

Preoperative factors affecting the operative outcomes of laparoscopic nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is the standard surgery for localized renal cell carcinoma. Both tumor and patient factors affect the difficulty of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. Obesity is a major factor influencing technical difficulty in surgical procedures. This study examined preoperative tumor and patient factors affecting the operating time. METHODS: The data of 123 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy at our institution between January 2014 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The operating time was determined based on the median pneumoperitoneum time. Surgical procedures with a pneumoperitoneum time of ≥130 min were defined as having prolonged pneumoperitoneum time. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the preoperative factors affecting the prolonged pneumoperitoneum time, and risk stratification was performed based on these factors. RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that a total number of renal pedicle blood vessels ≥3 and a visceral fat volume ≥3000 cm3 were associated with prolonged pneumoperitoneum time of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. Based on the multivariate analysis results, these factors were considered individually, and the cohort was stratified into three risk groups: low (0 point), intermediate (1 point), and high (2 points) risk groups. The pneumoperitoneum time was significantly prolonged as the number of risk factors increased. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a risk stratification model using preoperative factors to predict the prolonged pneumoperitoneum time of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, which can help select suitable cases that are appropriate for each surgeon's skill level.

Portomesenteric vein thrombosis following sleeve gastrectomy: Case report focusing on the role of pathogenetic factors.

INTRODUCTION: Sleeve gastrectomy has currently become the most commonly performed bariatric. procedure worldwide according to the last IFSO survey, overtaking gastric bypass with. a share of more than 50% of all primary bariatric-metabolic surgery. Gastric leak, intraluminal bleeding, bleeding from the staple-line and strictures are the most common complications. Portomesenteric vein thrombosis (PMVT)after sleeve gastrectomy is. another complication that has been increasingly reported in case-series in recent.years, although it remains uncommon. In this case report is described an extended portomesenteric vein thrombosis after. sleeve gastrectomy interesting splenic vein too with a favorable course and an. uneventful follow-up. We try to search in this case for pathogenetic factors involved in. this complication. CASE REPORT: A 42-year old man, with a body mass index (BMI) of 45 kg/m2, with a medical history of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Sindrome (OSAS) underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Early postoperative course was uneventful. Six days after discharge he complained abdominal pain and was admitted at the Emergency Department. A CT scan with intravenous contrast showed an occlusion of the portal vein, of the intrahepatic major branches and an extension to the superior mesenteric vein and the splenic vein. The patient received heparin and oral anticoagulation together with intravenous hydration and proton pump inhibitors. Considering the favourable course the patient was discharged after six days with long-term oral anticoagulation therapy. Anticoagulation with acenocumarol was continued for six months after a CT scan showed resolution of the PMVT without cavernoma. He had no recurrence of symptoms. DISCUSSION: Porto-mesenteric thrombosis after sleeve gastrectomy is a rare complication but it has been increasingly reported over the last 10 years along with the extensive use of sleeve gastrectomy. Because PMVT is closely associated with sleeve gastrectomy in comparison with other bariatric procedures, we need to investigate what pathogenetic factors are involved in sleeve gastrectomy. Thrombophylic state, prolonged duration of surgery, high levels of pneumoperitoneum, thermal injury of the gastroepiploic vessels during greater curvature dissection, high intragastric pressure, inadequate antithrombotic prophylaxis and delayed mobilization of the patient after surgery have been reported as pathogenetic factors of portmesenteric vein thrombosis. Most of the cases presented in the literature such as our clinical case resolve with medical therapy, although portal vein thrombus extends into the superior mesenteric vein and the splenic vein. CONCLUSION: Portomesenteric venous thrombosis is a rare but serious complication of bariatric surgery, especially associated with sleeve gastrectomy. Diagnosis is based on CT examination with intravenous contrast, and initial therapy is anticoagulation. Etiologic factors reported in the literature include a long duration of surgery, a high degree of pneumoperitoneum, high intragastric pressure after sleeve gastrectomy and thermal injury to the short gastric vessels and gastroepiploic arcade. Limited operative time, controlled values of pneumoperitoneum, careful dissection with energy device of gastric greater curvature, appropriate prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin may be useful tools to prevent and limit this complication. Nonetheless we have to search which factors may condition the evolution of an extended PMVT as that described in this case towards resolution or to a further worsening clinical state. Early diagnosis? Correct treatment? Undiscovered patientrelated factors?

Endoscopic Gastrojejunostomy in Infants and Children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of endoscopic gastrojejunal tube (GJT) placement in infants and children. STUDY DESIGN: All children undergoing endoscopic GJT placement between January 2010 and December 2019 were included in this single-center retrospective study. Difficulties with and failure of GJT placement, complication rates, and device longevity, efficacy, and duration were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 107 children, median age 10 months (IQR, 5.0-23.0 months) and median weight 6.6 kg (IQR, 5.3-9.5 kg), underwent endoscopic GJT placement using the gastric stoma to introduce the endoscope (one step: n = 36 of 107; 33.6%). Endoscopic placement was successful in 99%. Eight periprocedure complications occurred, including 1 pneumoperitoneum requiring exsufflation, 2 acute pulmonary hypertension episodes leading to death in 1 case, and 5 episodes of bronchospasm. Minor complications were frequent and mostly mechanical (79%), whereas major complications were rare (5.6%): intussusception (n = 4), intestinal perforation (n = 1), and pneumoperitoneum (n = 1). Ten patients died. Of the 97 patients who lived, 85 (87%) were weaned from jejunal feeding at a median of 179 days (IQR, 69-295 days) after initiation. Among them, 30 (35.2%) required fundoplication. Weight for age z-score was significantly higher at weaning. CONCLUSIONS: GJT placement is feasible in children, even low-weight infants. Complications are frequent but are mostly minor.

Seven years of preoperative BTA abdominal wall preparation and the Macquarie system for surgical management of complex ventral hernia.

PURPOSE: To assess 7-year outcomes after complex ventral hernia (CVH) repair using pre-operative Botulinum toxin A (BTA) injection and the Macquarie System of management. METHODS: Clinical examination and functional non-contrast abdominal CT scans were used to assess complications and recurrences encountered in a prospective series of 88 consecutive CVH repairs using pre-operative BTA injection (200 or 300 units) between November 2012 and December 2019. Pre-operative progressive pneumoperitoneum (PPP) and/or component separation (CS) were also used in some cases. RESULTS: All hernia defects (mean transverse width 12.9 ± 5.2 cm) were successfully closed using either laparoscopic or laparoscopic-assisted open techniques facilitated by pre-operative BTA injection. The mean pre-operative post-BTA lateral oblique length gain was 4.7 ± 2.2 cm/side (p < 0.001). In 43 patients with defects < 12 cm wide, closure was achieved using BTA-only in 33 (76.7%), BTA + PPP in 2 (4.7%), BTA + CS in 5 (11.6%) and BTA + PPP + CS in 3 (7.0%). In the remaining 45 patients with defects [Formula: see text] 12 cm wide, closure was achieved using BTA-only in 9 (20.0%), BTA + PPP in 11 (24.4%), BTA + CS in 5 (11.1%) and BTA + PPP + CS in 20 (44.4%). There was a significant correlation between increasing defect size and the need for 2 or more CVH closure procedures (χ2 = 25.28, p < 0.0005). There were no BTA complications. Two patients developed midline hernia recurrences. CONCLUSION: Pre-operative BTA injection of the abdominal wall is a safe procedure that facilitates hernia defect closure and reduces the need for CS, especially when defect size is less than 12 cm. BTA may also decrease the rate of hernia recurrence.

Perforated spontaneous intestinal intramural haematoma.

Spontaneous intestinal intramural haematomas are uncommon in the absence of trauma and may occur in those on anticoagulation. A young girl presented with generalised abdominal pain and was found to have pneumoperitoneum. She underwent an exploratory laparotomy and was found to have multiple ileal intramural haematomata with an area of possible perforation with a collection of pus. We believe that this is the first reported case of a rupture of spontaneous intestinal intramural haematoma in a young girl with no history of anticoagulation use or coagulation disorders.